“Turkey Has Upheld Its Democracy”

President Erdoğan said: “This constitutional change is no ordinary change. It is different and very meaningful. For the first time in its history, Turkey has decided such an important change by the will of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and people. For first time in the history of the Republic, we have changed our governmental system through civilian politics,” in a post-referendum speech in Istanbul.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference on the outcome of the referendum on constitutional reform.

“I EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL OF OUR PEOPLE”

Wishing in his statement at Huber Villa that they outcome of the April 16 referendum may yield beneficial results for the country and the people, President Erdoğan said: “Our people once again went to the polls in a distinct maturity and expressed with their free will their view on the constitutional change, adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.”

“I express my gratitude to each and every individual of our people, regardless of how they voted, who went to the polling stations to protect their national will. Turkey has the power to overcome all kinds of problems, difficulties and crises as long as it upholds people’s choices. We have seen very clearly its last example during the July 15 coup attempt. The April 16 referendum is a very significant sign that our people have defended its future,” President Erdoğan said.

“TURKEY MADE A HISTORIC DECISION ON ITS SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT”

Underscoring that Turkey has made a historic decision on its system of government, which has been a matter of discussion for 200 years, President Erdoğan noted that a decision to change the system of government was made today.

Thanking those, who voted ‘yes’ in the referendum, President Erdoğan said: “The fact that the outcome of the referendum is ‘yes’ shows that our people accepts the Presidential System of Government, which is also valuable to us.”

“FOR FIRST TIME, WE HAVE CHANGED OUR GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM THROUGH CIVILIAN MEANS”

The President stated: “This constitutional change is no ordinary change. It is different and very meaningful. For the first time in its history, Turkey has decided such an important change by the will of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and people. In the past, our constitutions and system of government shaped by them were determined under extraordinary conditions such as the War of Independence and its aftermath, and coup periods. For first time in the history of the Republic, we have changed our governmental system through civilian politics, which is of paramount importance.”

“April 16 is a victory for all Turkey with everyone who voted ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ with its 80 million population, 81 provinces and its 780,000 square kilometers of land. Our citizens living abroad are also an important part of this victory,” the President said.

“CHANGES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 3, 2019”

Stating that all articles of the constitutional reform does not come into effect at once, President Erdoğan said: “Especially the changes related to the Presidential System of Government will come into effect after the elections on November 3, 2019. We have a lot to do until then.”

“WE WOULD LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPECT OUR PEOPLE’S DECISION”

“We would like other countries and organizations to respect our people’s decision. We expect especially the countries we see as our allies to exert effort to develop their ties with our country in line with our sensitivities, our fight against terrorism in particular,” President Erdoğan said.